The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA announced a merger Monday with PAWS San Diego, which provides pet services for low-income seniors, the chronically ill and the disabled.
The organizations will operate under the Humane Society banner, starting next month, and PAWS, which stands for Pets Are Wonderful Support, will be the group’s charity unit.
It is the second merger in as many months for the Humane Society, which in July completed a merger with the Escondido Human Society.
Veterinarian Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, said the merger would “strengthen our role as the safety net for animals at risk of relinquishment to shelters in our community.”
He said people sometimes have to choose between feeding themselves or their pets if they lose a job or a home, or if a family member becomes ill.
“We want people to have somewhere to turn when faced with these difficult decisions,” Weitzman said. “Our pets are family, so we want to keep families together by assisting individuals facing tough times. The best thing we can do for pets is to keep them out of shelters and in their homes, where they belong.”
PAWS San Diego employees will become Humane Society staff members Sept. 1, according to the Humane Society.
